By SITEMBILE SIWAWA
SHOUTING could be heard from a little
hut that Petronella Muyaba (not real name) occupies as her husband scolds her
for accessing family planning services just a few weeks after giving birth.
The
yelling is upsetting for her as she breastfeeds her baby especially that she has
not fully recovered from the experience.
Petronella (28) is forced to blame
herself for having listened to her friends about the idea of accessing family
planning services weeks after delivering.
Little did she realise she made a wise
decision and that the scolding by her husband was a clear indication of
violation of her sexual reproductive health rights (SRHRs).
It is unfortunate
that women have continued to suffer abuse at the hands of their husbands where
SRHRs are concerned.
In as much as the unfortunate scenario is happening
countrywide, it is worse in rural communities.
And in an attempt to bring the
messages of SRHRs closer to rural communities, Southern African HIV and AIDS
Information Dissemination Service (SAFAIDS) in Zambia has started training
members of Parliament (MPs) and ward councillors to help sensitise their
electorate.
The training and message could not have come at a better time than
this when SRHRs are being violated without the realisation of women.
Furthermore, the HIV and AIDS prevalence rates are on the increase due to lack
of recognition of the SRHRs.
SAFAIDS held its first training workshop last
Saturday in Mumbwa which was attended by area MP Dr Brian Chituwo and 10 ward
councillors.
SAFAIDS programmes officer Namucanah Mushabati said there is need
to partner with MPs and ward councillors because it is general understood that
parliamentarians and councillors have more influence over their constituencies.
"We call traditional, elected and religious leaders 'champions' who have the
voice people in communities can listen to and actually practice what they are
asked to do," said Ms Mushabati.
She also said the issues of SRHRs if not
addressed in the depths of rural communities are the key drivers of the HIV and
AIDS pandemic.
True to this, SRHRs, which are a concept of human rights, require
a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships as well
as the possibility of pleasurable and safe sexual experience free of coercion,
discrimination and violence.
SRHRs aim at ensuring that women of child- bearing
age have access to quality health care services of their choice so that they
remain healthy.
The violation of SRHRs includes early marriages, rape,
defilement, marital rape and lack of age appropriate services.
And the
consequences of the violation of these rights range from high maternal deaths,
infant and child mortality rates, high teenage pregnancies and high abortion
rates.
And Dr Chituwo said the HIV and AIDS pandemic has adversely affected
rural communities as many women are not aware of SRHRs.
Dr Chituwo said failure
by men and women to recognise and respect these rights has led to the high
levels of HIV and AIDS.
He notes that "as legislators, we vote on Acts of
Parliament and we can ensure that legislation protects human rights and advances
effective prevention and care programmes".
Mumbwa ward councillor Joshua
Cholobesa said elected leaders in various constituencies have the duty to
influence public opinion and increase public knowledge on various issues
including HIV and AIDS.
Mr Cholobesa said, "As advocates, we can mobilise the
involvement of Government, private sector and civil society to discharge their
societal responsibilities in responding to the HIV and AIDS epidemic."
He said
elected leaders can allocate financial resources to support and enhance
effective HIV and AIDS programmes that are consistent with human rights
principles.
Meanwhile, Mumbwa district council secretary Elina Banda said the
recognition of SRHRs will enable women attain full human potential.
Ms Banda
said not only is there need to enlighten people on the existence of these rights
but to also take the services closer to them.
She, however, said that disabled
people also have a right to increased services. "Disabled people also have a
right to sexual reproductive health and our legislators should be in the
forefront in lobbying for their rights," stressed Ms Banda.
And Kalwanyembe ward
councillor Landson Sangwapo noted that self-stigmatisation is still rampant in
his area due to lack of information.
Mr Sangwapo said some people would rather
access their anti-retroviral drugs from health centres in other areas for fear
of being seen.
He said "failure by some people to acknowledge their HIV status
has greatly contributed to the rise in the prevalence rate of the pandemic in my
area".
Meanwhile, Mumbwa district clinical officer Kayama Nangana said despite
the services of SRHRs being available, the number of unwanted pregnancies,
especially in adolescents, is still considerably high.
He said it is vital for
legislators to ensure tha there is information on such matters to enable them
have access to services without difficulties.
Tuesday 18 February 2014
Wednesday 12 February 2014
MPs councillors get sexual drills
By SITEMBILE SIWAWA
THE Southern African HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) in Zambia has started training members of Parliament (MPs) and ward councillors on effective sensitisation of their constituents on sexual reproductive and health rights in the prevention of HIV and AIDS.
SAfAIDS programmes officer Namucanah Mushabati said it is important to train MPs and ward councillors in this skill because members of the communities listen to them more.
"We expect that after the training, the MPs and their ward councillors will sensitise their communities on the sexual reproductive and health rights in HIV and AIDS prevention," Ms Mushabati said.
She was speaking in Mumbwa on Saturday at a sexual reproductive and health rights training which was attended by Mumbwa MP Brian Chituwo and 10 ward councillors.
Ms Mushabati said MPs and ward councillors should engage their communities in dialogue to enhance the fight against HIV and AIDS.
And Dr Chituwo said the HIV and AIDS pandemic is adversely affecting rural communities. Dr Chituwo also said sexual reproductive and health services should be extended to disabled people who too are affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic.
He said disabled people have difficulties in visiting health centres and it is incumbent upon elected leaders to take the message to them.
"We also need to advocate the putting of information on sexual reproductive health rights on braille to cater for blind people," Dr Chituwo said.
Mumbwa council secretary Elina Banda commended SAfAIDS for the initiative to train MPs and ward councillors because they are the key drivers of HIV and AIDS messages.
Ms Banda said people in the rural communities, especially the disabled do not have access to sexual reproductive health services.
"They need to be enlightened on these rights for the full attainment of human rights," Ms Banda said.
She appealed to MPs and ward councillors to lobby for sexual reproductive health services for people in communities.
THE Southern African HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) in Zambia has started training members of Parliament (MPs) and ward councillors on effective sensitisation of their constituents on sexual reproductive and health rights in the prevention of HIV and AIDS.
SAfAIDS programmes officer Namucanah Mushabati said it is important to train MPs and ward councillors in this skill because members of the communities listen to them more.
"We expect that after the training, the MPs and their ward councillors will sensitise their communities on the sexual reproductive and health rights in HIV and AIDS prevention," Ms Mushabati said.
She was speaking in Mumbwa on Saturday at a sexual reproductive and health rights training which was attended by Mumbwa MP Brian Chituwo and 10 ward councillors.
Ms Mushabati said MPs and ward councillors should engage their communities in dialogue to enhance the fight against HIV and AIDS.
And Dr Chituwo said the HIV and AIDS pandemic is adversely affecting rural communities. Dr Chituwo also said sexual reproductive and health services should be extended to disabled people who too are affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic.
He said disabled people have difficulties in visiting health centres and it is incumbent upon elected leaders to take the message to them.
"We also need to advocate the putting of information on sexual reproductive health rights on braille to cater for blind people," Dr Chituwo said.
Mumbwa council secretary Elina Banda commended SAfAIDS for the initiative to train MPs and ward councillors because they are the key drivers of HIV and AIDS messages.
Ms Banda said people in the rural communities, especially the disabled do not have access to sexual reproductive health services.
"They need to be enlightened on these rights for the full attainment of human rights," Ms Banda said.
She appealed to MPs and ward councillors to lobby for sexual reproductive health services for people in communities.
UNFPA, State to advocate increased female condom use
By SITEMBILE SIWAWA
THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says it will partner with the Ministry of Community Development Mother and Child Health in advocating increased use of female condoms.
The UNPFA says advocacy would increase the use of female condoms among women and empower them to have a say in sexual matters.
Appearing before the parliamentary committee on youth and sports recently, UNFPA country representative Mary Otieno said the use of female condoms in Zambia is still low despite its introduction about 10 years ago.
Ms Otieno told the committee chaired by Chipili member of Parliament Davis Mwila that apart from Government, stakeholders like the Zambia Education and Communications Trust will also be engaged in the advocacy campaign.
She was responding to a concern raised by Katombola member of Parliament Derick Livune that there was so much emphasis on the use of male condoms as compared to female condoms in Zambia.
"Women who propose the use of female condoms with their partners are usually met with stigma and that is why maybe the practice is relatively low.
Female condoms use reduces dependence on men, I mean whenever a woman wants to engage in a sexual encounter, she should not always wait for a man to produce a condom," said Ms Otieno.
Meanwhile, Ms Otieno has advised Government to deal decisively with the issues of prostitution and homosexuality as these are the key drivers of HIV/AIDS.
She voiced out concerns that Government was not yet ready to address the issues of homosexuality and prostitution.
THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says it will partner with the Ministry of Community Development Mother and Child Health in advocating increased use of female condoms.
The UNPFA says advocacy would increase the use of female condoms among women and empower them to have a say in sexual matters.
Appearing before the parliamentary committee on youth and sports recently, UNFPA country representative Mary Otieno said the use of female condoms in Zambia is still low despite its introduction about 10 years ago.
Ms Otieno told the committee chaired by Chipili member of Parliament Davis Mwila that apart from Government, stakeholders like the Zambia Education and Communications Trust will also be engaged in the advocacy campaign.
She was responding to a concern raised by Katombola member of Parliament Derick Livune that there was so much emphasis on the use of male condoms as compared to female condoms in Zambia.
"Women who propose the use of female condoms with their partners are usually met with stigma and that is why maybe the practice is relatively low.
Female condoms use reduces dependence on men, I mean whenever a woman wants to engage in a sexual encounter, she should not always wait for a man to produce a condom," said Ms Otieno.
Meanwhile, Ms Otieno has advised Government to deal decisively with the issues of prostitution and homosexuality as these are the key drivers of HIV/AIDS.
She voiced out concerns that Government was not yet ready to address the issues of homosexuality and prostitution.
High turnout of women screening for cervical cancer, cheers nurse
By SITEMBILE SIWAWA
NURSE-IN-CHARGE at the cervical cancer section at SOS Children's Village Lunia Phiri has expressed happiness over the increasing number of women undergoing screening at an early stage.
The SOS Children's Village has been offering cervical cancer screening services to women from surrounding townships since 2012.
In an interview recently Ms Phiri said women were now going for screening due to awareness programmes being conducted by SOS Village.
She said it is encouraging that women who have cancer cells are diagnosed before it gets where it becomes difficult to treat, therefore saving lives.
"We have been offering cervical cancer screening services in the last two years. We have managed to screen 34,500 women. 10 percent of these women were found to have pre-cancer cells. They were referred to University Teaching Hospital for treatment," said Ms Phiri.
Ms Phiri said there is still need for more awareness raising to encourage women to undergo cervical cancer screening, adding that increased sensitisation programmes have contributed to women accessing cervical cancer check-ps. Ms Phiri is happy that SOS Village has extended sensitisation programmes to Chongwe and Rufunsa.
Women in the two districts are screened during outreach programmes, which is done in partnership with the Lusaka District Health Management Board.
NURSE-IN-CHARGE at the cervical cancer section at SOS Children's Village Lunia Phiri has expressed happiness over the increasing number of women undergoing screening at an early stage.
The SOS Children's Village has been offering cervical cancer screening services to women from surrounding townships since 2012.
In an interview recently Ms Phiri said women were now going for screening due to awareness programmes being conducted by SOS Village.
She said it is encouraging that women who have cancer cells are diagnosed before it gets where it becomes difficult to treat, therefore saving lives.
"We have been offering cervical cancer screening services in the last two years. We have managed to screen 34,500 women. 10 percent of these women were found to have pre-cancer cells. They were referred to University Teaching Hospital for treatment," said Ms Phiri.
Ms Phiri said there is still need for more awareness raising to encourage women to undergo cervical cancer screening, adding that increased sensitisation programmes have contributed to women accessing cervical cancer check-ps. Ms Phiri is happy that SOS Village has extended sensitisation programmes to Chongwe and Rufunsa.
Women in the two districts are screened during outreach programmes, which is done in partnership with the Lusaka District Health Management Board.
Wednesday 5 February 2014
Overnights responsible for teen pregnancies
By SITEMBILE SIWAWA
THE Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has observed that overnight prayer meetings are contributing to teenage pregnancies and other vices.
The church mother body has suggested that overnight prayers should thus be regulated.
Appearing before a parliamentary committee on Youth and Sports yesterday, CCZ head of programmes Abraham Chikasa said overnight prayer meetings are a breeding ground for illicit sex among teenagers.
Mr Chikasa told the committee chaired by MMD Ikeleng'i Member of Parliament (MP) Elijah Muchima that there is need for the church leadership to regulate overnight prayers as they are a breeding ground for teen pregnancies.
He was responding to a concern raised by Lukulu West MP Misheck Mtelo that overnight prayer meetings are contributing to teen pregnancies in the country.
"We're not denying that girls are getting pregnant during overnight prayers but all we are asking for is that there should be regulation during these prayers."
"I believe churches also get a permit to hold such prayers and as such, they should ensure they check what goes on," Mr Chikasa said.
He also said pastors should target their preaching on messages to do with sex and purity during overnight prayers.
And Mr Chikasa has suggested that the re-entry policy has not been effective because there is no law that compels mission schools to enforce it.
He said girl-children should be given a second chance to get back to school and contribute to development.
THE Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has observed that overnight prayer meetings are contributing to teenage pregnancies and other vices.
The church mother body has suggested that overnight prayers should thus be regulated.
Appearing before a parliamentary committee on Youth and Sports yesterday, CCZ head of programmes Abraham Chikasa said overnight prayer meetings are a breeding ground for illicit sex among teenagers.
Mr Chikasa told the committee chaired by MMD Ikeleng'i Member of Parliament (MP) Elijah Muchima that there is need for the church leadership to regulate overnight prayers as they are a breeding ground for teen pregnancies.
He was responding to a concern raised by Lukulu West MP Misheck Mtelo that overnight prayer meetings are contributing to teen pregnancies in the country.
"We're not denying that girls are getting pregnant during overnight prayers but all we are asking for is that there should be regulation during these prayers."
"I believe churches also get a permit to hold such prayers and as such, they should ensure they check what goes on," Mr Chikasa said.
He also said pastors should target their preaching on messages to do with sex and purity during overnight prayers.
And Mr Chikasa has suggested that the re-entry policy has not been effective because there is no law that compels mission schools to enforce it.
He said girl-children should be given a second chance to get back to school and contribute to development.
Helen Bwembya: Blind but leading productive life
By SITEMBILE SIWAWA
SEATED in her usual spot in class and trying to read her novel in braille excites Helen Bwembya, who has now grasped the technique behind it.
Helen, 34, now realises that it is not difficult to learn the much-needed skill for every visually-impaired person.
Apart from the reading on braille, she also boasts of being able to walk on her own without any help or escort.
"I never realised I would be able to fend for myself in my blind state, as the visually-impaired are always considered burdensome," she shares.
Helen is one lady who has embraced her state of being blind and used it to help herself and her mother.
The only child she had died years back. She gives credit to the Zambia Library Cultural and Skills Centre (ZLCS) for the visually-impaired for enrolling her to learn all the stuff she now boasts of.
Helen dropped out of school in Grade seven due to financial constraints her family encountered.
The soft-spoken Helen narrates that she woke up one morning and discovered she could no longer see after a dental procedure where three of her teeth were forcibly removed.
"I used to experience constant toothaches which would result in migraine and I resolved to go to the clinic where I was told one of the teeth was rotten and needed to be removed."
"I had second thoughts over having it extracted but after further consultations I decided to go ahead," said Helen.
Little did Helen know that her consenting to the removal of her tooth would lead to blindness. In March 2005, Helen went to Chilenje Clinic in Lusaka to have her tooth removed but unfortunately the wrong tooth was forcibly removed, which led to intensive bleeding.
"The bleeding continued for days and in another attempt to remove the damaged tooth, the same dentist yet again pulled out other two teeth but the medical record indicated that he only removed one," Helen laments.
The repeated removal of the 'wrong' teeth obviously worried Helen; forcing her to seek further medical help from a dentist at Lusaka's University Teaching Hospital during the same month. Sadly, Helen was informed that in the next few months she would get blind because the sensory nerves which connect the teeth to the eyes were tampered with.
"When I was told I was going to go blind, I thought the dentist was joking but little did I know that the warning was serious," she chuckled. "It was tough going being blind and worse still in my youthful years."
"And what really hurt me was that I was now blind due to someone's carelessness," Helen narrated.
But before her sad predicament, Helen, who lives in Lusaka's Libala,' township, was a business lady dealing in the sale of bed sheets. "I used to travel to Nakonde to buy bed sheets which I would re-sell here in Lusaka.
That was the only business which kept me going," she said. Unfortunately, all this came to an abrupt end as she could no longer do the things she used to do.
Everything was being done for her by her mother and nieces because she had no strength and capacity to do anything.
"It was tough to have everything done for me ranging from the small things like warming bathing water and cooking for me," said Helen.
Helen and her mother have been unable to seek legal redress from the clinic due to lack of financial resources to hire a legal practitioner.
"We could not seek for justice because court cases take long to be disposed of and, besides, we do not have enough money to battle it out," Helen alleged.
A day in her life is torturous as every morning she has to fumble around trying to find her way around the house.
With the chirping birds and the sunlight that accompanies the morning, Helen sadly sits on her bed with nothing but memories of how she would be up and about carrying out her daily errands.
There was a point in time where she thought dying was far much better than living. It took close to four years for Helen to accept her condition.
And belonging to the Catholic faith, church members have encouraged her to remain strong and advised her to enrol at the ZLCS for the visually-impaired.
Initially she resisted but after further persuasion she gave in and enrolled at the centre where she has been since 2010.
"I'm really grateful to my tutors at the ZLCS, at least I am now able to fend for myself through vegetable-growing," she exclaimed excitedly.
After all she has been through; Helen has since advised fellow blind women not to wallow in self-pity but to realise that they can still lead a productive and exciting life.
"They should also come to the centre where I am at and learn what I have learnt," she advised.
 |
| Hellen Bwembya writing her examinations in braille |
SEATED in her usual spot in class and trying to read her novel in braille excites Helen Bwembya, who has now grasped the technique behind it.
Helen, 34, now realises that it is not difficult to learn the much-needed skill for every visually-impaired person.
Apart from the reading on braille, she also boasts of being able to walk on her own without any help or escort.
"I never realised I would be able to fend for myself in my blind state, as the visually-impaired are always considered burdensome," she shares.
Helen is one lady who has embraced her state of being blind and used it to help herself and her mother.
The only child she had died years back. She gives credit to the Zambia Library Cultural and Skills Centre (ZLCS) for the visually-impaired for enrolling her to learn all the stuff she now boasts of.
Helen dropped out of school in Grade seven due to financial constraints her family encountered.
The soft-spoken Helen narrates that she woke up one morning and discovered she could no longer see after a dental procedure where three of her teeth were forcibly removed.
"I used to experience constant toothaches which would result in migraine and I resolved to go to the clinic where I was told one of the teeth was rotten and needed to be removed."
"I had second thoughts over having it extracted but after further consultations I decided to go ahead," said Helen.
Little did Helen know that her consenting to the removal of her tooth would lead to blindness. In March 2005, Helen went to Chilenje Clinic in Lusaka to have her tooth removed but unfortunately the wrong tooth was forcibly removed, which led to intensive bleeding.
"The bleeding continued for days and in another attempt to remove the damaged tooth, the same dentist yet again pulled out other two teeth but the medical record indicated that he only removed one," Helen laments.
The repeated removal of the 'wrong' teeth obviously worried Helen; forcing her to seek further medical help from a dentist at Lusaka's University Teaching Hospital during the same month. Sadly, Helen was informed that in the next few months she would get blind because the sensory nerves which connect the teeth to the eyes were tampered with.
"When I was told I was going to go blind, I thought the dentist was joking but little did I know that the warning was serious," she chuckled. "It was tough going being blind and worse still in my youthful years."
"And what really hurt me was that I was now blind due to someone's carelessness," Helen narrated.
But before her sad predicament, Helen, who lives in Lusaka's Libala,' township, was a business lady dealing in the sale of bed sheets. "I used to travel to Nakonde to buy bed sheets which I would re-sell here in Lusaka.
That was the only business which kept me going," she said. Unfortunately, all this came to an abrupt end as she could no longer do the things she used to do.
Everything was being done for her by her mother and nieces because she had no strength and capacity to do anything.
"It was tough to have everything done for me ranging from the small things like warming bathing water and cooking for me," said Helen.
Helen and her mother have been unable to seek legal redress from the clinic due to lack of financial resources to hire a legal practitioner.
"We could not seek for justice because court cases take long to be disposed of and, besides, we do not have enough money to battle it out," Helen alleged.
A day in her life is torturous as every morning she has to fumble around trying to find her way around the house.
With the chirping birds and the sunlight that accompanies the morning, Helen sadly sits on her bed with nothing but memories of how she would be up and about carrying out her daily errands.
There was a point in time where she thought dying was far much better than living. It took close to four years for Helen to accept her condition.
And belonging to the Catholic faith, church members have encouraged her to remain strong and advised her to enrol at the ZLCS for the visually-impaired.
Initially she resisted but after further persuasion she gave in and enrolled at the centre where she has been since 2010.
"I'm really grateful to my tutors at the ZLCS, at least I am now able to fend for myself through vegetable-growing," she exclaimed excitedly.
After all she has been through; Helen has since advised fellow blind women not to wallow in self-pity but to realise that they can still lead a productive and exciting life.
"They should also come to the centre where I am at and learn what I have learnt," she advised.
Krummy's 'Kanselele' under fire
By SITEMBILE SIWAWA
HE may be enjoying massive airplay with his song Kanselele, which features JK and `Donchi Kubeba' Dandy Krazy, but Krummy's lyrics are now attracting fierce criticism from some section of society.
The Children's News Agency (CNA), a project under the Media Network on Child Rights and Development (MINCRD), says it strongly condemns all radio stations and public places playing the song because of the line nangu ni kasukulu.
In a statement obtained by the Weekend Mail in Lusaka, CNA says the song is an affront to the fight against child sexual abuse.
"This song is unacceptable as it promotes certain behaviour in men who might in turn end up committing crimes like defilement.
CNA is very disappointed that as the Government and other stakeholders strive to end child sexual abuse around the country, artistes like Krummy are composing songs that promote the vice and radio stations are giving such tracks airplay and backed by renowned artistes JK and Dandy Krazy.
"The agency strongly condemns all radio stations and public places playing this song and allow it to be voted and danced to by the public.
The CNA therefore requests the Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) and the Ministry of Tourism and Arts to monitor and regulate the content of Zambian music to ensure that it does not infringe on the rights of the child, especially the girl child," the statement reads in part.
The agency has since given Krummy seven days, starting from last Monday, to adhere to their request to remove the line of nangu ni kasukulu failure to which they will seek further redress.
"We also seek support from the Ministry of Gender and Child Development, Child Protection Unit and religious organisations in stopping the spread of such illicit music on our airwaves and public places," the statements says.
When former ZAM president Maiko Zulu posted the statement on his facebook, a fierce debate started.
"I found that line offensive too I must say baba.how do we fight children's rights abuses with such lyrical content munyimbo.
It also promotes infidelity," Linah Ngawa Daisy posted. But Matongo Maumbi wondered why the song has become a hit and asked how many songs have such lyrics and go without any public cry.
"We receive foreign explicit music and turn our heads away," Matongo said. "It's just your dirty minds and probably jealousy, that's why it has taken this long to discover Cause you had no better ways of tackling it.
I'm very particular with music and illicit lyrics. I take time to understand the motive or story behind a song.
"In my understanding, he [Krummy] is simply saying my hands can't reach you or touch you, I'm moving on, it doesn't matter if it's a neighbour or a school girl.
To which any sensible adult will know it's reference to a college girl since most women in marriages complain of their hubbys going after these college kids," argued someone by the name Mpanga Ya Mambwe.
HE may be enjoying massive airplay with his song Kanselele, which features JK and `Donchi Kubeba' Dandy Krazy, but Krummy's lyrics are now attracting fierce criticism from some section of society.
The Children's News Agency (CNA), a project under the Media Network on Child Rights and Development (MINCRD), says it strongly condemns all radio stations and public places playing the song because of the line nangu ni kasukulu.
In a statement obtained by the Weekend Mail in Lusaka, CNA says the song is an affront to the fight against child sexual abuse.
"This song is unacceptable as it promotes certain behaviour in men who might in turn end up committing crimes like defilement.
CNA is very disappointed that as the Government and other stakeholders strive to end child sexual abuse around the country, artistes like Krummy are composing songs that promote the vice and radio stations are giving such tracks airplay and backed by renowned artistes JK and Dandy Krazy.
"The agency strongly condemns all radio stations and public places playing this song and allow it to be voted and danced to by the public.
The CNA therefore requests the Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) and the Ministry of Tourism and Arts to monitor and regulate the content of Zambian music to ensure that it does not infringe on the rights of the child, especially the girl child," the statement reads in part.
The agency has since given Krummy seven days, starting from last Monday, to adhere to their request to remove the line of nangu ni kasukulu failure to which they will seek further redress.
"We also seek support from the Ministry of Gender and Child Development, Child Protection Unit and religious organisations in stopping the spread of such illicit music on our airwaves and public places," the statements says.
When former ZAM president Maiko Zulu posted the statement on his facebook, a fierce debate started.
"I found that line offensive too I must say baba.how do we fight children's rights abuses with such lyrical content munyimbo.
It also promotes infidelity," Linah Ngawa Daisy posted. But Matongo Maumbi wondered why the song has become a hit and asked how many songs have such lyrics and go without any public cry.
"We receive foreign explicit music and turn our heads away," Matongo said. "It's just your dirty minds and probably jealousy, that's why it has taken this long to discover Cause you had no better ways of tackling it.
I'm very particular with music and illicit lyrics. I take time to understand the motive or story behind a song.
"In my understanding, he [Krummy] is simply saying my hands can't reach you or touch you, I'm moving on, it doesn't matter if it's a neighbour or a school girl.
To which any sensible adult will know it's reference to a college girl since most women in marriages complain of their hubbys going after these college kids," argued someone by the name Mpanga Ya Mambwe.
New braille ballot papers introduced
By SITEMBILE SIWAWA
ELECTORAL Commission of Zambia has introduced new features on braille ballot papers to address challenges encountered by the visually impaired voters in the previous elections.
Speaking during consultative workshop on the participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process in Lusaka, ECZ official Mataa Sikota said the new features will enable blind voters to take part in the 2016 general elections effectively.
Mr Sikota said the old braille voting ballot papers had inadequacies as they would easily be shuffled making the visually impaired voters vote otherwise.
"The new braille voting ballot is intact and does not move easily and this will enable our blind voters to vote for their preferred candidate unlike the old one which could easily scuttle if not handled well and a voter could either vote otherwise or it will be a rejected ballot," he explained.
Mr Sikota said the new features will allow blind voters to make their own personal choices during voting without having anyone to vote for them.
"In the past during voting, there was an issue of mistrust as blind voters used to have someone vote for them," he said.
However, Mr Sikota said the Commission is facing challenges in the non-availability of persons to offer sign language interpretation for the deaf.
He also said literacy levels in sign language and braille are still some of the challenges the Commission is facing.
And Africa Programme Director Wamundila Waliuya has since commended the ECZ for adding new features to the braille voting ballot paper.
Mr Waliuya said the features will enhance full participation in elections and secrecy. He said, We are now assured of having full access to the ballot paper and our autonomy and dignity have been enhanced."
Meanwhile, Mr Waliuya has urged ECZ to consider executing the September 2011 Lusaka High Court judegment.
"There are a lot of lessons that ECZ can learn from the judgement which can be used in the by-elections and the 2016 general elections," Mr Waliuya advised.
Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) sued ECZ in 2011 for failure to initiate reform to ensure equitable participation by persons with disabilities in the electoral process of Zambia contrary to Article 23 of the Constitution of Zambia.
ELECTORAL Commission of Zambia has introduced new features on braille ballot papers to address challenges encountered by the visually impaired voters in the previous elections.
Speaking during consultative workshop on the participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process in Lusaka, ECZ official Mataa Sikota said the new features will enable blind voters to take part in the 2016 general elections effectively.
Mr Sikota said the old braille voting ballot papers had inadequacies as they would easily be shuffled making the visually impaired voters vote otherwise.
"The new braille voting ballot is intact and does not move easily and this will enable our blind voters to vote for their preferred candidate unlike the old one which could easily scuttle if not handled well and a voter could either vote otherwise or it will be a rejected ballot," he explained.
Mr Sikota said the new features will allow blind voters to make their own personal choices during voting without having anyone to vote for them.
"In the past during voting, there was an issue of mistrust as blind voters used to have someone vote for them," he said.
However, Mr Sikota said the Commission is facing challenges in the non-availability of persons to offer sign language interpretation for the deaf.
He also said literacy levels in sign language and braille are still some of the challenges the Commission is facing.
And Africa Programme Director Wamundila Waliuya has since commended the ECZ for adding new features to the braille voting ballot paper.
Mr Waliuya said the features will enhance full participation in elections and secrecy. He said, We are now assured of having full access to the ballot paper and our autonomy and dignity have been enhanced."
Meanwhile, Mr Waliuya has urged ECZ to consider executing the September 2011 Lusaka High Court judegment.
"There are a lot of lessons that ECZ can learn from the judgement which can be used in the by-elections and the 2016 general elections," Mr Waliuya advised.
Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) sued ECZ in 2011 for failure to initiate reform to ensure equitable participation by persons with disabilities in the electoral process of Zambia contrary to Article 23 of the Constitution of Zambia.
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